Dr Juliana Smithton (Catherine McClements) is accustomed to being the smartest woman in the room. So after an ‘incident’ at a pharmacological conference, during which the star neurologist begins talking to a young woman in a yellow bikini whom no-one else appears to see, she is understandably shaken, though keen to get on with life as normal – a life which includes her philandering husband, Ian (David Roberts) and her on-going attempts to salvage a relationship with her estranged daughter (Heidi Arena) and bitter son-in-law (David Whiteley).
New York-based playwright Sharr White’s acclaimed The Other Place, given its Australian premiere with this Melbourne Theatre Company production, is part domestic drama, part mystery, and quite fascinating. Juliana is an unreliable narrator, a device seen more often on the page than on the stage, though executed here with considerable panache. Over its 85 minute running time, as we learn more about Juliana and her affliction, the audience slowly begins to realise that not everything she tells us is true, or even real – to potentially devastating effect.
Unfortunately this production, directed by Nadia Tass (best known as the director of such films as Malcolm and Matching Jack) doesn’t quite make the most of its dramatic potential; nor does it move as much as it could. As Juliana, McClements is excellent; alternately brittle and forceful, frightened and furious, though a lack of chemistry between her and Roberts detracts from their flailing relationship; nor does Roberts fully convey his character’s anguish, confusion, and emotional turmoil in one of the role’s key scenes.Juliana and Ian’s arguments and dramas are nonetheless believeable and compelling, thanks to White’s controlled, considered script and McClements’ nuanced and compelling performance.
Playing multiple (albeit slightly two-dimensional) supporting roles, Arena seemed to be overacting somewhat on opening night; hopefully she will show more restraint as the season progresses. Whitely is solid but unremarkable in his undemanding roles.
White’s script deftly portrays the blurring of time and memories Juliana is experiencing, with constant flashbacks intercutting the scenes set in the present day. One especially significant flashback, the key to her trauma, smoothly segues into a powerful scene set in Juliana’s former Cape Cod home; the emotional and dramatic highlight of the production. The play’s final scene, alas, is a touch mawkish, with White’s text slightly overwhelmed by David Parker’s cinematography.
Shaun Gurton’s set is restrained and sparse, focussing attention on the characters, while jazz maestro Paul Grabowsky’s original compositions blend successfully and ominously with Russell Goldsmith’s brooding sound design.
Though flawed, The Other Place is a strong start to this much-anticipated year from the new team at the MTC.
Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
Melbourne Theatre Company presents
By Sharr White
Director: Nadia Tass
Set Designer: Shaun Gurton
Costume Designer: Edie Kurzer
Lighting Designer: Nigel Levings
Composer: Paul Grabowsky
Sound Designer: Russell Goldsmith
Cinematographer: David Parker
Voice & Dialect Coach: Suzanne Heywood
Directorial Secondment: Thomas Carmody
Cast: Heidi Arena, Catherine McClements, David Roberts and David Whiteley
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
26 January – 2 March
